Online Safety
SETTING UP A DEVICE FOR CHILDREN TO USE THE INTERNET SAFELY.
In response to all the concerns currently being raised around internet safety, especially the ‘momo’ emoji, please find this very useful guidance attached for you to keep your children safe online!
Online safety is very important. We currently deliver online safety within the computing curriculum and would like to share some tips for supporting this work at home.
If you want to know more about online safety visit the following websites:
Top Tips for Keeping Your Child Safe Online
Talk to your child about what they’re up to online
Be a part of their online life; involve the whole family and show an interest. Find out what sites they visit and what they love about them.
Ensure that your child only accesses sites or games appropriate for their age group
Encourage your child to go online and explore! Encourage them to use sites which are fun, educational and that will help them to develop online skills.
Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online
Children grow up fast and they will be growing in confidence and learning new skills daily. It’s important that as your child learns more, so do you.
Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world
Think about what they see, share, who they talk to and how long they spend online.
Keep all equipment that connects to the internet in a family space
For children of this age, it is important to keep internet use in family areas so you can see the sites your child is using and be there for them if they come across something they don’t want to see. Ensure that your child only accesses sites or games appropriate for their age group, Most social networking sites limit members to 13 years and above.
Know what connects to the internet and how
Make sure you’re aware of which devices that your child uses connect to the internet, such as their phone or games console.
Use parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones
Parental controls are not just about locking and blocking, they are a tool to help you set appropriate boundaries as your child grows and develops.
Help your child to understand that they should never give out personal details online
Personal information includes their messenger ID, password, email address, home address, mobile and home telephone number, name of school and any photographs of themselves, their family and friends.
If your child receives spam/junk email and texts, delete them
Remind children never to believe them, reply to them or use them.
Teach children never to open messages from people they don’t know. It could be a virus, spyware or an inappropriate image or film.
Never meet up with anyone if you only know them online
Some people lie online and so it’s better to keep online friends online only.
THEY SHOULD NEVER MEET UP WITH ANY STRANGERS.
Teach your child how to block someone online and how to report them if they feel uncomfortable.
If you want to know more about online safety visit the following websites:
In this area we will add information and links that promote ways of keeping safe online.
YouTube Live Streaming
The Times recently published an article about young people being at risk when they are live streaming video content from their YouTube accounts. Other apps allow ‘live streaming’ of video content, so to see the benefits and risks involved please visit this website.
A parental guide to live streaming and vlogging (video blogging) can be downloaded below:
Parent Guides
Parent Zone have published a series of useful parent guides for a host of technological developments that your child may be using (e.g. Nintendo Switch, Netflix, connected toys and Instagram). They can be found at; https://parentzone.org.uk/advice/parent-guides
Fortnite
Does your child play this console game? It has a 12 age certificate, so what are the potential risks associated with playing? This handout explains the game in more detail; Fortnite handout
Digital Parenting Magazine
Vodafone’s Digital Parenting Magazine contains a wealth of information and articles related to ways that families can have fun online whilst being safe. The current magazine (and past issues) can be downloaded from here.
Lancashire Education Authority – Online Safety
Lancashire LEA have an online safety area with links to resources and advice on a variety of issues. To access the website click here.
The Guardian
John Naughton writes a weekly column outlining how technology and the Internet are shaping and changing society. The column can be viewed by clicking here.
UK Safer Internet Centre Parents’ Guide To Technology
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology
Childnet – Know It All resources
